January 11, 2006

UK singer Doherty pleads guilty to drug charges

LONDON (Reuters) - Babyshambles lead singer Pete Doherty,
who had an on-off relationship with supermodel Kate Moss,
pleaded guilty on Wednesday to possessing heroin and cocaine.

The 26-year-old rocker was greeted by dozens of
photographers and reporters and a small number of fans when he
arrived more than an hour late at a London courtroom.

Wearing a cream-colored sweater and dark waistcoat, the
self-confessed drug abuser signed several autographs after the
hearing ended.

His spokesman, Tony Linkin, confirmed that Doherty had
pleaded guilty to the charges after being arrested on suspicion
of possessing illegal drugs in November last year.

Doherty was released on bail and is due to reappear at
Ealing Magistrates Court on February 8.

Linkin said the Babyshambles' tour would not be affected by
the hearing, and that Doherty was traveling to the central
English town of Stoke for a gig later on Wednesday.

Doherty, who shot to fame as lead singer of The Libertines,
has been in the headlines after Moss was filmed apparently
snorting cocaine, prompting several fashion labels to sever
ties with the 31-year-old super model.

Images of the incident appeared in the Daily Mirror tabloid
last September, since when Moss has spent time at a U.S. drug
rehabilitation center and remained out of the U.K..

Police have urged Moss to return to Britain to answer
questions related to the cocaine scandal, and expect to make
arrests soon of other suspects in the case.